Did you know? There is evergreen demand for Home Improvement or Mounting tasks involving curtain and blind installation.
Looking to add curtain and blind installation to your profile? This post isn’t an overview on how to install window treatments, but keep reading for tips on what types of tasks to expect, ways to prepare, and suggestions for upselling.
Useful tools for window treatment installation
- Level
- Measuring tape
- L-brackets
- Drywall anchors
- Drill and multiple sizes of drill bits
- Pencil
- Step ladder or ladder (you can ask if your client has one)
Most common window treatment tasks
Installing curtains
Typically curtain installation would include installing a curtain rod or rods, in addition to putting up the curtains. You may be asked to remove and replace previous hardware, patch holes, apply touch-up paint, etc.
Tips:
- The width of the curtains may dictate the placement of the rod across the window. But to be sure, ask your client if they want the curtain rod hung on the window frame, or a certain distance past it. It’s common to mount the rod about 3” past the frame on each side.
- The length of the curtains may dictate how high the rod is mounted. But confirm with your client where they want it placed. The standard height is 4” above the window frame.
- Take note of the length you may need to account for if the rod has rings.
- Extra long rods or extra heavy curtains typically necessitate an additional bracket mounted at the midpoint of the rod.
Installing blinds/shades
If you’re hired to hang inside-mount shades, your client would have had to measure the exact specifications of their window before they placed their shade order. Outside-mount shades are more forgiving! For either type, be prepared to troubleshoot any issues.
Tips:
- For blinds with cords, you can expect to also drill in the cleats around which the cords are wrapped. If you’re installing several across a row of windows, it’s best to keep them level.
- If inside-mount shades come with a valance, you may need to install the brackets deeper into the window frame to create enough space between the shade and the valance.
- For outside-mount blinds, confirm with your client if you’d like them mounted on the window frame, wall, or ceiling.
- Test that the shades/blinds work smoothly.
Installing drapes
You can find a wealth of information online about the nuances between hanging certain types of drapes. If you’re looking to level up in hanging drapes, it will help you to get familiar with each type. However, this task type is less common.
Tips:
- Rods are generally mounted between the top of the window molding and the ceiling. However, your client may have other preferences so double-check how they want the drapes to hang.
- Drapes skirt the floor, but some clients may not want their drapes touching the floor (think: pets, small children, etc.) Again, confirm the height with your client before drilling any holes.
- Before you start mounting, double-check that the rod will extend at least 4” past the window on each side. Since drapes are typically open during the day, you want to be sure they won’t block too much light in an open position.
Sample scoping questions to ask before a window treatment task
- How many curtains or blinds will you need hung / how many windows are there?
- Do you already have rods and the hardware needed to mount the curtains and shades?
- Do you already have the shades/curtains?
- Do you know the wall type into which you will be mounting?
- Do you need drapes hung?
- Have you already checked if your inside-mount blinds will fit?
- Do you need me to remove previous hardware, and do any touch-ups?
- Can you confirm how high you want the curtains hung?
- [If the task is to repair a window treatment] Can you provide a photo of what needs to be repaired?
- Do you need me to bring a step ladder, or do you have one I can use?
Suggestions for upselling yourself & opportunities to refer other Taskers
If your client has booked you to remove window treatment hardware, you can ask if they’ve already measured for their new treatments. You can do so on the spot if there’s time, and let them know that Taskrabbit offers Room Measurement services too!
Ask during the task if there’s anything else your client needs help with. We’ve observed that many curtain/blind hanging tasks are grouped with other Mounting/Home Improvement requests, such as re-hanging a cabinet, hanging pictures, and always popular TV and shelf mounting. While these tasks are included in the initial task description and you’ve agreed on the time duration, other things may come to mind for your client once you’re in their home/office. Or you can proactively ask them if they have anything else they need help with! Confirm with your client if it’s okay for the task to take longer than estimated, or ask if they want to re-book you.
Are you doing a blackout curtain installation in a baby nursery? Ask your client if they need your Babyproofing services! (And if you don’t have Babyproofing on your profile but you do have Home Improvement, check out this article for an opportunity to grow your business in a new category!)
Do you have a Tasker friend who does Interior Design? If your client needs help with a vision for their window treatments, you can provide your friend’s profile URL. Referrals can create a virtuous cycle of providing holistic services to clients—maybe you’ll end up coming back to hang the new curtains and shades.
Do you have any experiences with installing window treatments that you’d like to share with the community, or questions for fellow Taskers who have done these tasks? Feel free to leave comments below!
